1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector's Series For Sale

Prior to Tom Selleck’s role as America’s favorite private eye in the hit 1980s television series Magnum P.I., he had lesser known role—model for Ford Motor Company’s promotional materials for its stunning 1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector’s Series. 1979 marked the end of an era for the Lincoln-Mercury Division, as it was the last year its Mark V would be produced, thereafter replaced with the downsized Mark VI in 1980. The aptly named Collector’s Series commemorated this automotive milestone with a “unique limited edition Mark V [that] embodies exterior design features and interior sumptuousness surpassed by no other Continental Mark, past or present.” The Collector’s Series included virtually every option as standard equipment and sold for an $8,000 premium over a typical Mark V, raising its price to a whopping $21,000. It also combined unique exterior and interior styling and comfort features that were not available on any other Mark V, such as a gold grille, hood ornament and pinstripes, Valino half vinyl roof with coach lamps, color-keyed cast aluminum turbine wheels, chrome-edged vents, sumptuous Kasman II luxury cloth interior trim, and a genuine leather dashboard with glistening ebony woodtone appliqué and brushed chrome finish. Also included as standard equipment, and unavailable on any other 1979 Mark V, were a leather-bound toolkit and owner’s manual. It truly was the end of an era.

This gorgeous Mark V Collector’s Series is a stunning example that you will be pleased to add to your collection. With just 36,000 original miles, this car still sports its original Michelin tires! Its Midnight Blue Metallic finish has a brilliant luster and is accentuated by a flawless Valino half vinyl roof. In addition, the chrome and bright work is in excellent condition. The interior also shows beautifully, and is virtually free of wear. Its leather interior is glove-soft, and the leather dashboard is free of any cracks or wear. Similarly, its Kasman II covered and ebony woodtone capped door panels, headliner, and carpeting are in excellent condition. Best of all, this classic runs and drives as beautifully as it looks.

In addition to low mileage, there are several other features that make this Collector’s Series unique among all others. One such item is its leather interior. Whereas most Collector’s Series Mark Vs featured a full Kasman II cloth interior, this one features a full leather interior, and was one of only 862 out of 6,262 Collectors Series produced with these paint and trim codes, according to the MartiAutoWorks Deluxe Report, which will be included with sale. In addition, this car is equipped with an optional CB radio—a $321 option—one of very few options not included as standard equipment. Additionally, the car was ordered with an AM/FM stereo with cassette tape (not an 8-track!), for which a $204 credit was issued. 1979 was the first year Lincoln offered a cassette tape player. Lastly, the buyer elected to order a full size spare tire in lieu of the standard inflatable spare tire.

What also makes this car unique is that the following items—many of which have been separated from their cars through the years—are also included:

One item of note is that the cassette player does not currently work, but this does not affect the operation of the stereo or CB radio. All other power options, including power seats, lumbar support, windows, door locks, trunk release, antenna, “Autolamp System,” Cartier clock and air conditioning function as they should. In addition, the car’s finish has minor imperfections that do not detract from the overall appearance of the car.

This car was built on November 17, 1978—three days ahead of the production schedule—and was shipped to Spitzer Motors of Elyria. It was subsequently purchased by Hedwig B. Varouh and placed in service on November 26, 1978, in whose possession it remained for the next 26 years until his passing. In 2005, it was purchased by a Lincoln collector who enjoyed it for pleasure drives and cruise-ins, always ensuring that it was properly maintained and stored indoors.

If an extremely rare car—even among Collector’s Series Mark Vs—is what you desire, this classic is for you.